Tourism to get a boost with racing up in the hills

With tourism being a key foreign exchange earner, horse racing is bound to bring in many high-spending tourists as is the case around the world, evidenced at the Royal Ascot, the Melbourne Cup, in Dubai, Japan, Hong Kong and elsewhere. 

“With the proper development of this sport, tourism will greatly benefit, resulting once again in the generation of employment both directly as well as indirectly, not forgetting valuable foreign exchange that will be brought into the country,” said Royal Turf Club (RTC) CEO Wayne Wood.

RTC commenced its new season in Nuwara Eliya recently. 
An action-packed morning kicked off with the inauguration of the newly-built Saddling Enclosure - yet another achievement in improving the infrastructure of the RTC, followed by some really competitive racing backed by superb entertainment.

As evidenced by the enthusiasm displayed by the large number of tourists who were present to watch the races, as well as the Sri Lankans who thronged to the race course, horse racing will undoubtedly prove to be an income generator and foreign exchange earner.

As for the generation of employment, Wood said, “With the additional race meetings, the additional horses, the construction that is ongoing, there are many jobs in the offering for the right people. This is not only fantastic for the community but for the whole of Sri Lanka.”

Yet another first for Sri Lanka was the thoroughbred horse auction that took place.